California governor Gavin Newsom released the first episode of his podcast “This is Gavin Newsom” on Mar. 6, in which he interviewed Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk. In the interview, Newsom, who has historically defended the rights of trans people, agreed with Charlie Kirk’s view on transgender athletes participating in sports based on gender identity rather than biological sex, calling it “deeply unfair” for trans women to participate in womens’ sports.
This is just one example of a disturbing trend among Democratic Party figures – the trend of spinelessness, of abandoning progressive ideals in favor of appealing to conservatives.
It is no coincidence that Newsom chose now to start pandering to the right – he’s looking toward a presidential run in 2028, after all. The way I see it, Newsom has made a calculation; He has weighed how many votes denouncing trans rights could get him from centrist and conservative voters versus how many votes it would lose him from the left, and has come to the conclusion that denouncing trans rights is the more politically advantageous move. Regardless of his past support for trans rights, including signing into law a bill that makes it illegal for schools to inform parents of a student’s gender identity without the student’s consent, Newsom has made it clear that trans people are not his priority – at least not in the same way they used to be.
The trend has also been displayed by Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, though not in the same way as Newsom. Fetterman voted against a bill that would ban trans women from women’s sports. Despite this solid left-wing stance, Fetterman has praised and agreed with President Donald Trump on multiple issues. Fetterman said he believes that Trump’s tariffs could benefit the United States by bringing manufacturing jobs back into the country, only criticizing Trump’s decision to focus on Mexico and Canada rather than the “enemies.”
On X (formerly Twitter), Fetterman called the (admittedly disappointing) Mar. 4 protest by Democrat lawmakers a “sad cavalcade of self owns and unhinged petulance,” which “only makes Trump look more presidential and restrained.” From a senator who has been progressive on a multitude of ideals, this sudden, unprompted praising of Trump is a worrying sign. Fetterman also expressed support for Trump’s ideas of taking control over the Gaza Strip, specifically in regards to the stationing of U.S. troops within Gaza. It should be noted that Trump’s proposal has been described as “ethnic cleansing” by Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
The issues with Democratic figures extend beyond even the renouncement of progressive ideals. The aforementioned protest on Mar. 4 is an example of this – rather than doing anything that could make a difference, Democrat lawmakers held up some signs during a session of Congress and said absolutely nothing.
The current administration is a threat to the fundamental values that make America, America. In no world should the actions taken by Trump and his allies be considered acceptable. In no world should Democrats pander to the MAGA crowd in hopes of securing votes. In no world should Democrats silently walk away as our country is torn apart from the top.
In no world should such spinelessness be the norm.
